The good news for us is that our combat mission in Iraq has officially ended. Although our government says that all of our combat forces have left the country there is no doubt that we have some contingency troops there as a fighting reserve if necessary, but for the most part our combat mission in that country has ended.
This is the end of an era for our Operation Iraqi Freedom ring customers and the beginning of an era for the people of Iraq. Al-Qaeda has really ramped up their violent attacks in that country because if they want to topple the government now is the best time. The US departure is bittersweet for the Iraqis because they didn’t want us in their country for the most part and I don’t blame them, but they will have to fiend for themselves now that we are gone and it is a fearful proposition for them.
I believe that they can make it but it definitely not be easy. They are in unfamiliar territory and al-Qaeda will definitely use every trick in their power to trip them up. They will have to learn quickly if they are to survive this super critical stage in their history.
The cost of this campaign to the Iraqi people, the US economy, and our military ring customers has been phenomenal. I don’t know if the cost has been worth the effort but the good thing is that it is over.
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